Quills

Dorien did a final walk through the newly renovated portion of the complex. Leilanna and her spouses had taken a liking to the initial renovated courtyard he had finished for the new Matriarch. So they had to delay Liem's homecoming and renovate the home Leilanna had just moved out of. The move puzzled her large bind. Liem was understanding, as always, the Northerner was finishing up her studies, and the vacated courtyard left behind by Leilanna was easy to upgrade and larger in area.

He pitied his son, who had been stuck in Delegate Station for months. It was very cramped. He had renovated his son's room in preparation for his return as well. He hoped he did not spend much time in the room.

Dorien was pleased with the work. He had given her home a Northern theme this time, with black and white murals and wood trim, heat conductive copper tiles and soft furniture with animal hide carpets. He knew that warmed floors and heated bed platforms were traditional in his home. The climate was just too warm to justify putting in the options. He did put a heat spa in northern bath features which were far superior to those found in Callor. He was able to artfully blend the natural and neutral tones and contrast them well against the necessary hardware in the living space. All technical panels were all finished with an easy-to-clean copper finish. Liem reported that she liked him to cook for her and rarely ordered from the kitchen. This was in part from the incident, which was kept quiet. Leilanna's choice actually ended up giving him an excuse to convert some space for a decently sized kitchen and storage room. He was certain she would appreciate and be touched by the preparations he had made. Maybe good news was on the Horizon?

'He seemed to be so excited to ask her to take him, but he held off, and she delayed their return repeatedly. I am sure it will happen tonight. He invited his friends to come. I hope it is not too difficult for him.' Dorien thought as he checked off items from his list. He always felt satisfaction in the control he had over the home. Allurai often approved or just left the decisions to him, except for anything that would be outwardly facing.

The curtain blew in the main room of the courtyard. Bringing a pleasant breeze into the room. The wind and rain season had stopped and summer had settled into southern Callor. The smell of Pekoe bush wafted in. This room was close to his garden. The mature branches of the bushes swayed a little in the wind. He had planted this garden shortly after the twins were born and Allurai had imported these bushes from his home. Along with several fruit trees. He hoped that this garden would remain unchanged. Dorien opened up the door to the supply closet and checked the contents of the room. Thoroughly satisfied, he moved on to the kitchen.

They had the staff fill the food stores and added conductive counters and sinks. Sanitization supplies were also added to clean the home. It puzzled Dorien, since his son did not like attending to others. This change was for the positive. Liem reported that she would likely accept his proposal at the party tonight last week. Dorien himself had prepared gifts he could use to woo her just in case. They were inside the closet of his own room. He was happy with the job that was completed since it fulfilled his initial vision instead of the way the home was decorated before. This was more simplistic and refreshing. Dorien truly hoped that she would stay as long as possible. 

If Lenora bound him to her, he would leave with her and her group of spouses one day. Although he did not want to see his sweet, sensitive son leave again, nothing would be sweeter than him finding a loving home and having a family of his own one day. Dorien inspected the living space. Then he checked the Matriarch's room. This courtyard had ten different bedrooms, one of them was for infants. Three rooms had sleeping furnishings. It was presumptuous; but they had already been living together. Dorien took the liberty to fill the large closet with some of his son's clothing and would say it was someone else's error if she objected or was offended by the assumption. Half was filled with dresses and clothes his son had picked out for Lenora anyway. If she did not know how much he cared about her, then she was not worth pleasing anyway. He looked at the muted colors. His son had a good sense of fashion. She had a pale and unique complexion. The room was filled with leaf-coloured greens, powdery blues, creams, pinks and soft colors. The shelves were full of jewelry. She had received gifts from various suitors for many of the world's prestigious clans. 

Numerous necklaces, rings and cuffs were organized in the room, gleaming under the light. It was best that she could see it all. The jewelry had all been engraved with the gifter's name. Allurai made sure to offer better jewels than the others upon hearing what was sent. It would let her know how much Clan Allari appreciated her. They were inexpensive and a way to show care. As the Allari took over the role of being her maiden family, they would take part in the selection of candidates that would meet her initially. He understood his son's reluctance to come home. He could hold off on introducing her to other suitors immediately and probably wanted to help her slowly select candidates that would suit her. He remembered how possessive he himself felt when Allurai bound him, the conflicts and physical altercations early in their relationship. Allurai had competition in choosing her as he received a proposal at the same time from Clan Sedai. Allurai ended up binding with Dareem in order for Amrita to concede at the behest of her mother. This made his clan immensely proud. His brothers were able to be bound in great numbers because of the story of this battle over him. 

 'Liem had the option of a choice, he would have caused similar disputes if he was bound. He shares my looks. His attitude changed, the poor boy had gone a lot in his life. To think Lei would do that to the boys. Halid understood that she was curious, although the behavior was extreme. Thankfully, due to their relationship, Vida let them off. Sedai had fined them heavily. Liem never had any compensation. Rai will never understand what she did to him but never punishing Lei. Ugh, it is supposed to be a good day. He is back, and you can see his face. He must have grown.' Dorien's thoughts drifted from positive to negative. He shook it off. The resentment he had towards Rai over this would not help. He should be happy. His baby is home. 

His son may very well father the heir to fill his Sister's shoes. The Rhahid were a wealthy clan. Dorien still felt nervous in his heart for his son. He had already been disappointed and used in his life. A rejection might be the end for him. Dorien knew he was getting ahead of himself. He finished his inspection and reviewed his notifications on his Interface. He sighed with a little annoyance. His partners liked to act competently in front of Rai, but they were catty fools. Out of the eight, Reye and Dareem were the only capable partners that he could really count on. The other five fools would make the next year even more stressful if they put in any more orders. Allurai had recently conceived. After confirming her pregnancy, this time she relented and delegated her work to her spouses at their medical team's suggestion. 

'Who keeps ordering research on anti-phermonal soaps and products? Liem? Oh. Why?' Dorien sighed. He knitted his brows. He approved the request and looked at the others. 

"Damn. Maybe we should ask them to solely care for Rai." Dorien muttered. He shook his head as he reviewed the work that was submitted by the others. The three of them could run all the financial aspects and complete some of her political work. It was important for her to relax and live as stress-free as possible. As Matriarch Primary of the Province, her role was stressful. That, along with the various businesses, research groups, and medical facilities that were under the control of the Allari Group made her busy regularly. She had a hard time handing off her work to others. For a reason. In fact, he knew that as much as she complained, she loved to be busy. The rest of the Bind, felt she should step back from her roles and focus on her remaining reproductive years. Allurai refused, saying that she was a Mother to Callor and had a duty to it. Of course, she would. He knew Rai's heart and ambition. Agreeing to step back on company affairs while pregnant was her concession to her work. 

'He has set off. I am so excited.' Dorien thought as he walked towards the entrance whistling with a happy-go-lucky look on his face. He was anticipating his son's arrival happily. Tonight they will all celebrate. He would be celebrating welcoming his son home in his heart, alongside this grand welcoming celebration. Prominent clans would arrive in a few hours with their sons dressed in their best to influence her choices. They prepared a large feast to celebrate his welcoming the new clan head that they would be fostering. Hopefully, there will be happy news tonight of his son being one of the first three chosen. Numerous people would be arriving mostly out of curiosity about what she looked like and to make attempts to introduce their children of age to her. 

Dorien picked up his pace as he made his way down the long corridor. He had received multiple confirmations that tasks were completed and that Liem's transport had arrived and was making its way to the disembarking area for the residence. He had been waiting for this and felt a spark of excitement. Everything was perfect, spotless and ready for the event and the next cycle. He panted as he made his way out of the building to receive the guests. He froze as he saw Liem. He fought the urge to run and embrace his boy. His son was now a man. There would be time later. He was so tall, taller than himself. His facial features bore an eighty percent likeness to his, the rest were reminiscent of Oleir's, Allurai's biological father. He appeared to be very intimate with the tiny veiled Matriarch.